10-25m
    Rangiroa, French Polynesia
    Atoll de Fakarava

    Alibaba

    Best months: Aug–Dec

    Protected Area

    Atoll de Fakarava

    Why dive here

    With 146+ marine species recorded in the area - including blacktip reef sharks, dolphins, giant moray eels, octopuses and sperm whales - Alibaba offers some of Rangiroa's richest reef diving. Water ranges 27-29°C, warmest February, March, April.

    Best timeAug–Dec
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBlacktip Reef Sharks, Dolphins, Giant Moray Eels, Octopuses and Sperm Whales · 146+ species recorded
    Water27-29°C · warmest February, March, April
    CharacterReef dive · max 10-25m
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    Alibaba, tucked inside Rangiroa's Tiputa Pass, is one of our absolute favourites for a reason. You'll drop into the blue, holding a line, watching the grey reef sharks cruise the channel entrance. It's a deep blue scene before you even hit the reef. Then, the real fun begins as you peel off and let the incoming current pull you into the "Ali Baba Canyon." This isn't your average drift. We love how the canyon walls provide shelter from the main rush, letting you slow down and really absorb the details. Look for the big schools of fusiliers, the snapper, and the occasional grouper sheltering in the crevices. Keep an eye out for humphead wrasse, they’re often around, and the moray eels are always out and about. We’ve even seen a tiger shark on a lucky day, though that's a rare treat. The maximum depth of 28 metres means it's accessible for most, but the current can be strong, so you need to be comfortable with drift diving. Alibaba is a thrilling dive, perfect for those who enjoy dynamic drift dives and want to experience Rangiroa's shark action up close without being swept away.

    Typical Alibaba Dive Profile

    5m10mSafety Stop0m10m max~60 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Today05:1917:4212h 23m daylightGolden hour 17:13

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Alibaba

    Alibaba Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Alibaba, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-14.98, -147.62) (32km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    28°C

    82°F · Range: 27.2–28.7°C

    Current Speed

    11.05 cm/s

    Direction: W (264.8°)

    Chlorophyll-a

    0.062 mg/m³

    Very clear (oligotrophic)

    Salinity

    36.23 PSU

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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